Back in Brisbane

November 3rd, 2006 Bridgewater Apartments, Brisbane, Australia
It felt really good to get nine hours of sleep. I got up at twenty after 8, feeling fairly rested. I went to the basement to recover the large piece of luggage I had left while we were out gallivanting through….everywhere. A little surprise awaited us outside the door of the storage room: it had been broken into while we were traveling. Some people’s belongings were strewn all over the cement and bags had been opened. Someone had found their way into the locked storage room and ransacked several bags. Cara’s computer had been taken, and a few items were relocated into others’ bags. Mine was slightly open, but it had been packed that way, and nothing had been taken. They could’ve taken the computer for all I cared, because it’s a piece of junk. But, they didn’t, so I still have this deadweight. The police were called, and they basically did nothing. They weren’t very helpful at all, and unfortunately I seriously doubt anything will be recovered. The bags we are leaving behind during the cruise will not be left here.
I ran along the familiar path beside the river to Griffith University and back. It was good to be on known turf, although searching out places to run as I ran while we traveled was pretty exciting. It was considerably warmer running here, since summer is the in-season right now, as compared to Mt. Cook where my rear end froze off.
After a cleansing shower, I sat down with a borrowed computer and an external hard-drive and spat out a three-page extra credit paper for Psychology. I am still uncertain as to whether or not I actually need it, but why not be on the safe side? That’s all I’m saying. It’s entitled “Nature and Nurture in the McRay Family.” It discusses the ways I am alike and unlike my parents, and how these traits can be attributed to nature (the way I am) or nurture (the way I have been influenced to be). It was a pretty intriguing study, I must say.
I spent some time packing my things and making sure everything was in order. I headed across the river into the city for awhile to buy a bag of apples for my meals. Brisbane is a great city, and I really think I’m going to miss it. It’s nice having a large metropolis right across the river from you. When we come back after the cruise for a day or two, I’m just going to roam.
Because there was nothing better to do (and even if there was, we probably still would have done it, because it’s just that good), Will, Derek, Darren, Anna Justus, and I watched The Fellowship of the Ring once again. It was just as good as it was the first time, and the subsequent million times. Insert satisfactory sigh here. Moving on.
I actually think I went to bed soon afterwards. It was only a little after 10, but boy did that bed look inviting.

I awoke this morning (on my own volition, mind you) at fifteen past 8 and went running. It’s a good way to start off the day, actually. I may be tired by the end of it, but it’s good to be outside and to feel like you’re aiding in keeping your arteries unclogged. The other night at Sizzler’s, Cara asked me, very randomly, if I used to be fat. I told her I didn’t think so and made no effort to disguise my confusion about the question.
“Well, I was just wondering because you’re always eating very healthy and you’re always running. You’re very toned, and I was just curious if you had some complex about being fat.”
I will admit this was very strange, but I was flattered, nonetheless. I think this falls under the category of nurture. Mom and Dad: I’ve learned well.
At 10, we met on the patio of the Littles’ apartment and Pam ran through the itinerary of the cruise and what we will need before we head out and such and such. It’s safe to say that this is going to be pretty amazing. Every evening dinner will be served in the main restaurant and most nights “formal attire” will be worn. I tried my slacks and shirt and sports coat on yesterday, and I felt very James Bond-esque. The long hair and beard don’t really matter. Other nights “smart casual attire” will be required. I had to ask for the definition of this phrase, because I was pretty sure my idea was different than what Pacific Star Cruise’s is. And it was. So I’m good to go now.
I spent some time surfing the web and just hanging out. Around lunch time, I headed into Brisbane once again. Felicity came as well. I was really hungry, so I got a kebab at the usual joint. Felicity needed to pick up pictures for her scrapbook for International Studies (this blog is taking care of that for me) and shoes for her dress on the cruise. I wanted to find another hooded sweatshirt, because I basically wear the same one all the time. Everything was so expensive, and I’m cheap, so I didn’t buy anything. The good news is that one of my cards is working once again, so I do have money with which to be cheap.
I believe I have mentioned that I have been contracted (without pay) to do a few drawings for Will’s scrapbook. I returned to the one of Australia I had begun several weeks ago and did some touchups, and will probably do so again. It’s been some time since I’ve engaged that particular artistic side, so I’m a bit rusty. Hopefully it will look all right in the end.
To continue the festivities of last night, Will and I (along with Pierre and Derek and various points) popped in The Two Towers. Good movie. I’ll leave it at that.
I was sitting outside the Byram’s apartment (which is now where the Common Room was, and is where the signal for the Internet is the strongest) browsing through my many pictures when Dr. Byram informed me that my mother was on Skype. It had been several weeks since I had actually spoken to them, so it was really good. My brother was just waking up to go to school and greeted me with a “You’re a moron.” I was able to sign up for classes next semester as we spoke. As of right now, I am taking Western Civ. from 1500 (I took the first part my first semester at Harding), Advanced Composition, American Literature, Vocal Performance, and Living World Religions. Either Advanced Comp. or American Lit. will be dropped, but it seemed wise to ensure that I was in both before deciding which one I will keep.
These two days have been a nice debriefing period. Tomorrow, the southern seas will wave before us and we will set sail on what is to be one of the final legs of our three-month journey. Slowly and surely this adventure is drawing to an end.

PS It will be some time before I am able to update, because the Internet on the cruise is via satellite and ridiculously expensive. So, it could be a few. Oh yeah, and the picture is the view leaving New Zealand. Not too shabby.